Welcome to The 6 a.m. CFO, where finance chiefs share how they jump-start their days and engage with the tasks that are in front of them.
Today, Datasite’s CFO Tom Donnelly shares his thoughts on meeting structures, leadership self-awareness, and the importance of developing talent.
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Datasite
- Datasite is a software-as-a-service provider for the M&A industry, empowering dealmakers with the tools they need for the entire deal lifecycle.
- Founded: 1968
- Size: +1,000
MORNING ROUTINE
Weekday wake-up time and first thing I like to do: I usually wake up between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. to walk my two labs.
Morning beverage choice: Peet's dark roast coffee.
Workday start time: 8 a.m.
How I usually spend the first hour of my day: Walk the dogs, have some coffee, listen to the news for a few minutes, shower, and get to work.
Time I send out my first email: Generally, within an hour after waking, so around 7:30 a.m.
I do try to avoid sending emails after 5 p.m., and on weekends, because recipients feel compelled to answer my emails immediately.
It’s important for leaders to set and keep boundaries.
Best advice for writing an effective email: Be as direct and short as possible, with as few cc’s as possible. Also, don’t forget the thank you.
First dashboard I review: The weekly KPI report.
How I structure my morning meetings: I generally try to avoid early morning meetings.
If I am hosting a meeting, I prefer agendas and some structure.
If meetings are 1:1’s, that time and structure is for my direct reports because it’s their time for me to help them.
Mid-morning snack of choice: Generally, protein-based breakfast, and I do not generally eat anything until 10 a.m.
INSPIRATION AND LEADERSHIP
Favorite quote or mantra: If you take a work colleague’s inventory, be ready to have your own inventory inspected.
Favorite leadership lesson: Self-awareness.
Something important to know about me that you wouldn’t know from my business bio: I take great pride in developing talent and giving my leaders constructive, competency-based feed-forward.
Favorite number: 77 — it was NHL player Ray Bourque’s jersey number.
Most noteworthy items in my workspace: Photo book prepared by a former customer from a golf trip to Cypress Point.
Do you have a pet sitting in your office right now: No, but if I work from home, my labs do tend to join me.
Favorite app on my phone that is not related to business: Amazon. I’m not a shopper.
